If a 3-9 is what you want, I can recommend 2 that are 400$. The Zeiss Conquest 3-9 x 40, and the Meopta 3-9 x 42. Both are terrific optics. Extremely bright, very crisp, and lots of eye relief. Either one is a bargain at 399$ in my experience. I've used both in the field for a few years now, and I'd buy either one again in a heartbeat.

__________________
“May we never confuse honest dissent with disloyal subversion.”
Dwight D. Eisenhower
"If the freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter"
George Washington
Jack@huntchat.com

My first scopes were original Weavers. Back then they were good scopes and have served me well throughout the years. Next I went to original Redfield's. I still have my Wide-field in 3x9 and just returned from Africa where it took game out to 350 yards with no problems. After Redfield sold, I tried Leupold and own a number of them. One of my favorite models, was the VL-X (cut away) so I could use low rings with a 50mm bell. It was great at times. Other times it would jump out of alignment, but Leupold has a solid warranty. When Nikon introduced their camo line, I put one of my shotgun and one on my muzzle loader (3x9's) they have been excellent. Now comes Vortex. I kept hearing how great they were so I put a 1x4x24mm on my African heavy rifle. Shot around 12 rounds at the range, one at the range in Africa, one on a Cape Buffalo and another on a large Roan antelope. No problems. I was impressed. I'd stay with quality scopes that offer not only a lifetime warranty, but a good reputation for customer service. I've only had to return one Leupold and that was the VL-X, and Leupold advised they had some problems with the early models.